Monthly Archives: January 2026

New Brits on the world tour

Posted on by
Reply

Young British riders are well to the fore in UCI rankings with Tom Pidcock and Oscar Onley both in the top 10.  Simon Yates has announced his retirement but Adam hopes to contnue his return to the top after a stunning Giro steal.  Matthew Brennan, Ben Tulet and Samuel Watson will hopefully improve their ranking as the season progresses, Mattie and Sam having already picked up stages ‘Down Under’.

Debutants this season include Oliver Peace for Picnic Post, Noah Hobbs for Easy Post, Callum Thornley for Red Bull and Joshua Giddings for Lotto

Sprinters or Climbers

Posted on by
Reply

Sprinters or climbers the Cobblestone Dilemma

                                                      <img width="299" height="168" src="https://sproson.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tobias.jpeg" alt="" />                                                                                                        <img width="275" height="183" src="https://sproson.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jayvine.jpeg" alt="" />                                                    Short tours like the current Tour Down Under pose a problem to cycling fantasists.  A climber will probably gain enough time to take the GC but is likely to compete in only one stage.  The other stages will likely be shared amongst the sprinters or a rouleur in a break.  I discarded Jay Vine for Matthew Brennan, a mistake as it turned out but I luckily picked up points from Tobias Andresen to soften the pain.

LDWA member – hero on Montane Spine Challenge

Posted on by
MONTANE WINTER SPINE / An unconventional end!
Edwin Tate crosses the line in a rather unconventional end to his Montane Spine Challenger North.
Edwin was skirting the cut off through the night, but pushed hard to try and make it through the Cheviot and down to the finish line.
When a fellow runner encountered difficulties on course, Edwin sacrificed his own race and chance to beat the cutoff to assist her, supporting both HQ and the Safety Teams to make sure she was helped on safely.
Edwin was given a three hour time credit for assisting his fellow runner, but unfortunately this still wasn’t quite enough to make it to the finish in time.
However, he was in good health and fine spirits and after having been deemed medically fit to continue he kept walking, finally crossing the line as a non-competitive runner in 116hrs 47mins.
He might not have an official finish position, but we think Edwin deserves a huge thank you for showcasing the spirit of the Spine family, and a massive congratulations on completing the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North, in slightly unconventional circumstances.